What to pack for adventure camp
What we provide, what to bring and what to leave at home for a week of climbing, paddling and backpacking in the Blue Ridge.
Whether your camper is heading out on a backpacking week or sleeping in the lodge, the rule is the same: small, light and quick-drying. This guide explains what we provide, what to bring, and what to leave at home. The camp office's full packing list has the final word, so ask us for a copy if you don't have one.
What Wilderness Adventure provides
You don't need to buy expensive backpacking gear. For overnight trips we provide:
- A backpack, sleeping bag and liner, sleeping pad and stuff sack
- A two to three person tent
- A 1-liter water bottle and a 2-liter dromedary bag
- All food, snacks and spices, plus a bowl and spoon
- A whistle
- Everything needed for activities, including bikes, boats, helmets and climbing gear
Campers on Classic Adventure, the Wilderness Leadership Course and specialty trips carry a full pack of around 35 to 40 pounds with everything they need for the week, so every extra item adds up. Homestead Adventure and Day Camp campers only need a daypack.
Clothes: skip the cotton
Cotton soaks up water and sweat and takes ages to dry, which makes it cold and heavy on the trail. Pack fleece, polypropylene, wool or other synthetic fabrics instead. Layers work best: a quick-drying T-shirt, a warm fleece and a rain jacket cover most weather in the Blue Ridge, even in summer. Long sleeves and long pants help with bugs and poison ivy.
Shoes: break them in first
New boots and blisters go together. Whatever shoes your camper brings, make sure they've been worn on a few long walks before camp. A second pair of shoes that can get wet is useful for river days.
Toiletries and personal items
- Keep toiletries travel-sized.
- Biodegradable soap is used on the trail, in line with Leave No Trace.
- We recommend glasses over contact lenses for backpacking trips.
- Bug spray and sunscreen can also be bought at the camp store.
What to leave at home
- Phones and other electronics. Campers on backpacking trips are away from phones and email for the whole trip. That's part of the point.
- Money and jewelry. Jewelry must be studs rather than hoops.
- Lighters, matches and knives. These aren't allowed.
The camp store
The camp store carries the things that tend to get forgotten: batteries, toothbrushes, flashlights, insect repellent, sunscreen, rain gear, socks and trail snacks, plus T-shirts and postcards. Campers visit on arrival day and on their last full day. Parents set a spending limit when they register, and on multi-week trips the store comes to campers at the mid-trip resupply.
Mail and care packages
Letters from home are a big deal on the trail, and we deliver mail and care packages to campers while they're out. If you send treats, please send enough for the whole group and both counselors so nobody feels left out. The mailing address is on our summer camp FAQs page.
Get ready before camp
The most useful thing to pack is a bit of preparation. Walks with a loaded backpack, hill hikes and general exercise in the months before camp make the first few days much easier.
